any tips to remove water stains on engine???

[kevf]

I have small white water stains on the engine . Anyone have any ideas how to remove them? I use s-100 engine brightner that works but the stains are still visible after s-100 wears off. Id like to remove them for good not just hide them with the s-100............... thanks

[Speed3]

Maybe some polishing compound would work to take off the damaged layer of paint. Then hit it with the engine brite again.

[wills]

Get some heavy cut polish compound and polish them off. Then follow up with light polish to restore luster. Only use the heavy cut to remove the stain or you can remove too much paint. My favorite light polish/finisher is 3M's Finesse it.

[RedNeck-Rat]

Not sure if it will work but you might want to try some TR-3. Stuff works great for cleaning most surfaces.

[dml955i]

My dealer killed the paint on my engine.
After some service and a test ride, they hosed the still hot engine down with soapy water. Now my engine has baked on water stains. I was pi**ed. They detailed the engine with s-100 engine brightner and it helped, but I end up re-applying it about twice a season.

[kevf]

My engine was still hot and got hit with a lawn sprinkler. Sprinkler must have been on a timer it wasnt on when i parked . Ill try the 3m polish.... Thanks for the tips

[crashmasterd]

Remember that water spots are caused by impurities in the water, usually calcium or soap residue. There are two ways to remove them: chemicals and elbow grease (that is, rubbing compound).

The chemicals are generally not good for the paint on the engine. The really useful chemicals for removing calcium generally use an acid of some kind (usually phosphoric acid). This will out-and-out destroy the paint, causing it to have a grey appearance afterwards. It's also not good for bare aluminum.

The best way to remove calcium or soap deposits is to buff them out using a rubbing compound of some kind. I've had good results with jewelers rouge and a polishing wheel on my dremmel. It's time consuming, but worth it in the end. Then wax.

Then there's the old-timers trick to make the engine look brand new: With the engine perfectly clean, spray down the painted parts with WD-40 or similar aerosol oil, then wipe off all the excess. It will look beautiful until it attracts dust or gets wet.

[MonkeyHanger]

This stuff realy works. It wont remove the marks you have but will hide them and make the engine look new.

try the link.

http://www.scottoiler.com/pc/viewPrd...5&idcategory=9

MH

[uptick]

In season, I wash my bike every week or two. I used to spray on S100 engine cleaner but the white residue was a pain in the ass to get off. Never seemed to get it all. I use a power washer (but dont get that close to engine/electrical seams - mostly used for cleaning radiator, forks, etc.)
I now use a citrus bas cleaner for the grime, power wash in an intelligent manner, use compressor or leaf blower to dry and LIGHLY mist down the engine and hoses with S100 Engine Bright. Two cans lasted me all season (I put her up for winter on New Years, i.e. not a short season).
The S100 is less sensitive to temperatures than WD-40.
Honda spry wax is the greatest thing since sliced cheese (for things other than the engine). Over spray wipes in and protects so hitting the conrol area can easily be cleaned up...unlike silicone sprays.
This guy has some good tips for overall bike cleaning:
http://www.ducatimonster.org/faq/faq_detailing.html

[trypcil]

I just spray my cold engine with WD40. The engine is black and all kind of ***** gets on there. After a while, maybe an hour or so I rub here down with a cloth to spread the oil all over - then go for a ride. The wd burns off with the heat - next day or so I wash her with S100 and a cut down paint brush, hose her down and give her a dry with the leaf blower - respray with wd again but lightly, then a rub down. No water spots and no abrasives either. Cocacola has phosphoric acid in it, they say it'll dissolve a pearl! :razz: